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אדם כי יקריב מכם קרבן לד'

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5775, Vayikra

When a man among you brings an offering to Hashem. (1:2)

Rashi explains that the word adam in our pasuk is a reference to Adam HaRishon, the first human being, with a lesson regarding the laws of korbanos, offerings. As Adam did not bring any korbanos from stolen property, since essentially the whole world was his, so, too, may no one serve Hashem with anything that came into his possession in a dishonest manner. The Panim Yafos explains this idea practically. Adam HaRishon was last to be created, following the creation of an entire world with its myriad creations. Adam was fully aware that nothing belonged to him; after all, he…

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Home -> Vayikra -> 5775

ויקרא אל משה וידבר ד' אליו מאהל מועד

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5775, Vayikra

He called to Moshe, and Hashem spoke to him from the Ohel Moed. (1:1)

When Moshe Rabbeinu was summoned (Vayikra el Moshe – He called to Moshe), when Hashem wished to teach him a lesson or impart to him a new command, Moshe would reply, “Hineni – here I am, ready and willing to do whatever is asked of me.” Hashem would then inform Moshe of what it was that He wished. The pasuk implies that the call/summons was issued only to Moshe. This is not because Hashem’s voice is low and only Moshe could hear it. The Almighty’s voice can shatter trees; such is its awesome power. Hashem wanted that only Moshe would…

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Home -> Vayigash -> 5775

ויברך יעקב את פרעה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5775, Vayigash

And Yaakov blessed Pharaoh. (47:7)

The blessing that Yaakov Avinu gave to Pharaoh had an enormous effect on Egypt’s agricultural bounty. Indeed, Rashi explains that, following Yaakov’s blessing, the Nile River rose up to “greet” Pharaoh and then irrigated the land. The Satmar Rav, zl, related that, in the twilight of the life of his grandfather, the Yismach Moshe, the heads of the community approached him with a complaint. Apparently, the sage davened privately in a room off of the main bais medrash. This bothered them. They added a few more foolish critiques, which they felt granted them permission to refuse him his meager salary…

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Home -> Vayigash -> 5775

ויסע ישראל וכל אשר לו ויבא בארה שבע

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5775, Vayigash

So Yaakov set out with all that he had and he came to Beer-Sheva. (46:1)

The Midrash asks where Yaakov Avinu went. Chazal respond, Lakutz arazim, “To cut down the cedar trees which his grandfather, Avraham Avinu, planted in Beer Sheva.” I have referred to this 0Midrash a number of times, but upon perusing it again, I am struck with two questions. Yaakov is on his way to greet his long-lost son, Yosef, for whom he had mourned for twenty-two years. Can one ever begin to imagine the excitement that coursed through the Patriarch at this time? His son that he had given up for dead was not only alive, but had achieved the epitome…

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Home -> Vayigash -> 5775

ויפל על צוארי בנימין אחיו ויבך ובנימין בכה על צואריו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5775, Vayigash

Then he fell upon his brother Binyamin’s neck and wept; and Binyamin wept upon his neck. (45:14)

The casual reader of Biblical text, who refuses to look beyond the simple translation and delve into the profundities of the Torah’s interpretation, sees an emotional meeting between two brothers who had been separated for twenty-two years. This might be the case if this were a secular novel and the two heroes were simple people. When an encounter is recorded in the Torah for posterity and the players are Yosef and Binyamin, two members of Shivtei Kah, one must be obtuse to view this meeting superficially. Chazal illuminate the scenario when they tell us that this was no simple emotional…

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Home -> Vayigash -> 5775

ויפל על צוארי בנימין אחיו ויבך ובנימין בכה על צואריו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5775, Vayigash

Then he fell upon his brother Binyamin’s neck and wept; and Binyamin wept upon his neck. (45:14)

Rashi quotes Chazal (Megillah 16b) who indicate that Yosef and Binyamin wept over the destruction of the Sanctuaries which would be built in their respective portions of Eretz Yisrael. Yosef cried over the two Batei Mikdash which were to be situated in Binyamin’s territory, while Binyamin mourned the Mishkan Shiloh which was to be in Yosef’s portion of Eretz Yisrael. Clearly, the weeping generated by these destructions could have occurred at a different time. Yosef and Binyamin had been separated for twenty-two years. The joy in meeting one another must have been overwhelming. Just talking about the missing years and…

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Home -> 5775 -> Vayeitzei

ורחל לקחה את התרפים ותשימם בכר הגמל ותשב עליהם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Vayeitzei, 5775

Now Rachel had taken the terafim, put them into the camel’s packsaddle and sat on them. (31:34)

There is no question that the yetzer hora, evil inclination, maintains a powerful hold on man. As much as we try to extricate ourselves from its grip, it is very difficult. It is a never-ending battle from which we often do not emerge triumphant. Is there a strategy for overcoming the blandishments offered up by the yetzer hora with which it ensnares us? Why do some fall prey, while others survive the battle, often unscathed? In Mayanei HaChaim, Horav Chaim Zaitchik, zl, shares with us his secret for success. Lavan was searching for the terafim, his little idols, unaware that…

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Home -> 5775 -> Vayeitzei

עם אשר תמצא את אלהיך לא יחיה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Vayeitzei, 5775

With whomever you find your gods, he shall not live. (31:32)

Yaakov Avinu made a statement, ascribing a premature demise to the one who had taken Lavan’s terafim, idols. He was unaware that Rachel Imeinu had taken them. As a result of our Patriarch’s words – albeit without malice and unwittingly – he catalyzed a tragic impact on his beloved wife. The Chafetz Chaim derives from here a compelling lesson concerning the gravity of one’s words. Yaakov certainly did not want to harm Rachel, but words, once they exit the mouth, cannot be recanted. They are gone, and, sadly, in this situation, they left an indelible mark. Yaakov was very careful…

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Home -> 5775 -> Vayeitzei

וישג לבן את יעקב

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Vayeitzei, 5775

Lavan overtook Yaakov. (31:25)

Imagine how Yaakov Avinu must have felt when Lavan caught up with him. He made an attempt to escape. He knew that if Lavan overtook him, he had little chance to remain alive. No one could best Lavan. So Yaakov kept on running, while Lavan continued his pursuit. The Midrash teaches us that, while Yaakov was running from Lavan, unbeknownst to him, another enemy, his brother Eisav, was also in pursuit. Armed to the teeth with four hundred trusted soldiers, Eisav was finally free to rid himself of Yaakov. His brother would pay a hefty price for appropriating the blessings….

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Home -> 5775 -> Vayeitzei

ויקח מאבני המקום

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Vayeitzei, 5775

He took from the stones of the place. (28:11)

The Midrash disputes how many stones Yaakov Avinu took. Rabbi Yehudah posits that the Patriarch took twelve stones. Rabbi Nechemiah contends that he took three stones. The Rabbanan say that he took only two stones. Horav Yechezkel Abramsky, zl, offers a homiletic understanding of Rabbi Nechemiah’s position that there were three stones. He suggests that “stones” are a metaphor which alludes to the three Patriarchs, who are the foundation stones upon which the world is built. Each Patriarch represents his individual approach towards serving the Divine. Avraham Avinu represents the middah, attribute, of chesed, kindness. Yitzchak Avinu characterizes avodah, service…

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